Brigance serves as Ravens’ source of strength

O.J. Brigance was a Ravens linebacker and special-teams captain in 2000 when they set the league record for fewest points allowed. (Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT)

NEW ORLEANS — Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis motivates the Ravens with pregame gyrations, Bible verses and a sledgehammer intensity that can thrill teammates and chill opponents.

Super Bowl XLVII is the last game of Lewis’ 17-year career, and his teammates want his going-away present to be a second Lombardi Trophy.

But the Ravens, including Lewis, draw inspiration from another source. A victory over San Francisco on Sunday means O.J. Brigance will receive his second Super Bowl ring, too.

“That would be huge for O.J.,” said defensive end Haloti Ngata, a seven-year veteran. “We play for ourselves, our teammates and O.J.”

Brigance was a Ravens linebacker and special-teams captain in 2000 when they set the league record for fewest points allowed and defeated the New York Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV.

A Houston native who starred at Rice, Brigance is the team’s senior adviser to player development and an inspiration to everyone.

What sets Brigance apart is his five-year battle with ALS — amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

They say he has the most positive attitude in the building. He’s loved and respected by the players and coaches.

“His heart and strength definitely makes our team that much better,” Ngata said. “We love him very much, and we’re glad he’s a part of our team.”

Brigance, 43, who’s confined to a wheelchair, reports for work every day even though he can only move his eyes and lips.

He can’t speak. He communicates with a specially designed computer called a DynaVox that’s attached to his wheelchair. He looks at letters and phrases, and they’re transferred to the screen. A computerized voice speaks for him.

“Just seeing his strength and him showing up to our practices and being around our facilities is definitely huge,” Ngata said. “When you’re having a rough day and you look at O.J., there’s no reason to complain.

“That person right there is fighting for his life, and we’re complaining about having double days or being sore?”

Still on the job

ALS is an incurable disease. Brigance and his wife, Chanda, were told originally he would have three to five years to live.

But Brigance is around, communicating with players and doing the job he was hired to do by former coach Brian Billick.

“O.J. has meant a lot,” said free safety Ed Reed, an 11-year veteran. “For what he’s going through, he still takes the time to encourage us and motivate us to be good men. Not just by his example, but what he’s living with.”

Reed has known Brigance longer than any teammate other than Lewis.

“O.J. has been a great man and a great friend to me,” Reed said. “He’s been a lot of help for me to be a professional and to understand my role when I first got here to Baltimore.

“He said from day one, do not treat me any different. He honestly meant that and hasn’t changed. He just told us to be patient with him and still talk with him.”

Patience and his faith are two reasons Brigance still does his job so well. After the Ravens defeated New England in the AFC Championship Game, Reed presented Brigance, an honorary captain that day, a game ball.

Brigance’s response to the team brought tears to the eyes of everyone in the dressing room and everyone watching on television.

“Congratulations,” he said through his DynaVox machine. “Your resiliency has outlasted your adversity. You are the AFC champions. You are my mighty men. With God, all things are possible.”

Don’t sweat small stuff

If the Ravens defeat the 49ers, expect to see Brigance participating in the celebration.

“O.J. has taught all of us not to take anything for granted,” strong safety Bernard Pollard said. “Just the little stuff that we complain about, whether it’s walking up the stairs, whether it’s having to come in early or whether it’s having to practice longer. You look at the little stuff that you complain about and O.J. has been fighting. He fights every day.

“O.J. is the kind of guy who continues to show up at work every single day smiling, ready to go and always has a message. We’ve learned so much from him. I’ve been blessed to be around him, and so are the other players.

“I think for all of us, we’ve come to understand and appreciate the people in our lives. We’ve come to appreciate the things that are going on in our lives because in a split second it could be taken away from you.”